What am I missing here concerning this increasingly popular statement?

[LuckyCharms]

This is probably a "me" problem...but I honestly cannot figure this out.

There is a saying that I'm starting to hear at least 3 times a day from various sources.

Something like: If you get knocked down 7 times, get up 8 times.

I'm sure you have heard this many times by now as well.

Is it me, or is there something messed up with that statement?

Get knocked down #1
Get up #1
Get knocked down #2
Get up # 2
Get knocked down #3
Get up #3
Get knocked down #4
Get up #4
Get knocked down #5
Get up #5
Get knocked down #6
Get up #6
Get knocked down #7
Get up #7

So shouldn't the saying be: Get knocked down 7 times. get up 7 (not 8) times?

What am I missing here?

[ShepKat]

1. you were standing first

then you fell-
standing - 1
fall down 1 stand up 2

[LuckyCharms]

2. I still don't get it.

[LuckyCharms]

3. "Get up 8 times" is the physical act of getting up off the ground.

Don't you only do that 7 times if you get knocked down 7 times?

[dem4decades]

7. You have to be up to get knocked down.

Unless of course you were already down when you got knocked down, but then that's another thing to think about.

[LuckyCharms]

13. Right, you do indeed have to "be" up to start...

But you don't have to "get" up because you are already up.

[ShepKat]

15. if you got knocked down, you were standing to begin with

another example- you need 7 stakes to put in 6 feet of fence.
You start with 1 stake to begin with, then put a stake in every foot for 6 feet-
but you have 7 in the ground.

you're standing already when you fall, that's 1
you fall - 1
stand up 2
fall 2
stand up 3
fall 3
stand up 4
etc etc etc

[fargone]

32. Then you only need 5 stakes for the next section

[Donkees]

4. 'Nana korobi, ya oki'

The proverb is “Nana korobi, ya oki” which means “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It means choosing to never give up hope, and to always strive for more.

https://www.wagingpeace.org/fall-down-seven-times-stand-up-eight/

[LuckyCharms]

6. I understand the implied encouragement of the saying...

but I don't understand the math.

Why not get up 7 times, meaning that every time you get knocked down, you get back up.

Or am I just reading too much into this?

[Donkees]

12. It symbolizes resilience, you become that symbol, and you stand on behalf of others who cannot...

no matter the number.

[Scrivener7]

5. Maybe they were napping before the fight started?

But good point.

[MiHale]

8. Try this ...

It’s an obvious misstatement imploring you to try a little harder while not giving up.
I had a tennis coach that made sayings like that .

[LuckyCharms]

9. So it's an intentionally incorrect statement in order to imply encouragement?

[MiHale]

10. Makes ya think donut...

[LuckyCharms]

11. I have my own saying:

"If you get knocked down 7 times, you should play dead, because you're probably fucked if you let someone knock you down 7 times".

[MiHale]

14. Mine is...

As long as I’m down here…I’m taking a nap.💤

😴…🤫

[LuckyCharms]

16. If I get knocked down 7 times...

I'm getting the hell out of there!

[Donkees]

17. In the culture that the statement originated, the number 8 has special meaning

[LuckyCharms]

18. Then why isn't the saying:

Get knocked down 8 times, get up 8 times?

[Donkees]

21. Accountant response wouldn't symbolize standing up on behalf of others who cannot, just being focused on yourself

12. It symbolizes resilience, you become that symbol, and you stand on behalf of others who cannot...no matter the number.
Reply to LuckyCharms (Reply #6)
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 08:17 AM

[LuckyCharms]

22. I understand what it symbolizes.

But I don't think that the average person in this country would recognize that symbolism in the way that the saying is worded.

The saying does not sound symbolic in the sense that does not imply "standing up for others". To me, it implies "standing up for yourself and never giving up".

The statement itself literally sounds self-centered. It sounds the exact opposite of what it is purported to symbolize.

[Donkees]

31. The proverb is rooted in Bodhidharma, considered the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu

and represented by a Daruma. The 'average person in this country' thinks this is a math puzzle.

[Donkees]

37. That's what it means in the original version, ''standing up'' not ''getting up''

Standing up to, or standing up for someone or something. On the eight attempt you remain standing.

“Nana korobi, ya oki” which means “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”

[some_of_us_are_sane]

19. My saying is

"If you get knocked down once, play dead....wait for the bastard to walk away...THEN get back up."

Brains over brawn works every time.

[LuckyCharms]

20. If you get knocked down 7 times...

Don't get up 8 times, because by this time, you are probably in a hospital bed and labeled a "fall risk", and if you try to get up for the 8th time, the bed alarm will go off, and the supervising nurse will come into your room and yell at you to get back into bed, and nobody needs that, especially after suffering the humiliation of getting knocked down 7 times, so just accept the fact that you lost.

[CTyankee]

23. Yes, there are those times when you'd best be aware of certain limitations....you will fight another day!

[Scrivener7]

27. Mine: "Who the hell are you hanging with who is beating you up like that? Get better friends!"

[ProfessorGAC]

24. You're Right, Lucky

Plenty of rationalizations can be made to explain it, but if you get knocked down 7 times you can only get up 7 times.

[Harker]

25. Maybe the equation takes as a given that you were born down (+1)...

then got up (+1) before getting knocked down (+2).

[Iggo]

26. Yep, dumb saying for jocks to motivate jocks.

The assumption is that you’re getting up from being knocked down. So yeah, the saying should be about getting up every time you’re knocked down, not getting up one extra time.

But their heart is in the right place. So let’s just let them have this one.

[unweird]

28. Ya gotta get up to get down

First you get up. Then you get knocked down for the first time. Then you get up for the second time. And for the second time get knocked down.

If you’re not up in the first place you won’t ever get knocked down.

[LuckyCharms]

29. "If you get knocked down 7 times, get up 8 times"

Doesn't that imply that the "getting up" part doesn't start to happen until you've already been knocked down?

So you don't "get up" until you've already been knocked down?

[unweird]

30. Only if you don't count getting up in the first place

If you’re down already all you have are getting up options. Well, unless you’re into wallowing in the down state. The natural tendency is to rise.

[fargone]

33. It's not intended to be a math problem.

It is metaphor for your resilience and effort. It is akin to a foorball coach telling his team to give 110% .

[LudwigPastorius]

34. #8 is getting out of bed the next day to go to a chiropractor.

[darkstar]

35. Hope I'm not adding you your woes with

this possible earworm:

?si=BBOz7grlaTw7kk78

[LogDog75]

36. Maybe it's like the title to a famous Beatles song

Eight Days a Week